Wokingham town council has reacted with disappointment to plans by Wokingham borough council to reorganise parish boundaries.
In a response to the council’s community governance review, it wrote how it was “.. very disappointed and surprised that the borough council has recommended that most of the new housing being built between Floreat Primary School and Tesco, on the southern side of Wokingham, will not be part of the town.
“New residents will undoubtedly believe they are moving to the town of Wokingham, recognised as one of the best places to live in the UK.
“Despite the fact that they will live in an area completely connected to the rest of the town, and will be using the services in the town, under the borough council’s current recommendation these new residents will not be considered a part of it.
“The rest of the town’s residents, however, will be funding some of the services they use, and the parks and events they enjoy, which is unfair.
“Previously, as the town’s housing expanded, the town’s boundaries moved to include those new residents.
“It seems self-evident that this should continue to be the case.
“We ask that residents commenting on the recommendations put forward by WBC take all this information into account.”
Wokingham borough council is asking for feedback on the review to ensure the arrangements for towns and parishes are as effective and appropriate as possible.
The previous review was conducted in 2016 and it is advisable to do a review every ten to 15 years.
The review is is a legal process where we review how people are represented to ensure it is appropriate.
As well as town and parish councils, the review will also consider the electoral arrangements, such as the number of councillors and warding arrangements.
You can find out more, and have your say on the council’s engage website.
